Petition Seeks to Change National Anthem to Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’
Oh say can you see the generals gathered in their masses?
It doesn't take much more than an internet connection and an idea to start a movement these days, and for our latest example, look no further than the recently launched petition urging Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to change the national anthem of the United States to Black Sabbath's "War Pigs."
"The current national anthem has served America proudly for many a year now. However ... it's time that we retire that old standard and choose a song that better reflects America and its policies and practices," writes organizer Shannon Madden. "I nominate 'War Pigs' by Black Sabbath. I'm open to suggestions, but I'm hard pressed to think of a more honest assessment of where we are in 2016 America."
As of this writing, Madden's petition has gathered roughly 1,400 online signatures, with responses ranging from the bitterly sarcastic to the personal — like the comment from petitioner Jose Gerard, who complains that the current national anthem is "played out" and adds, "I'm sick of hearing the opening line, 'Oh say can you see' ... It sounds too much like 'Jose can you see.'"
No one should expect to hear "War Pigs" played before a sporting event anytime soon, but the members of Sabbath do have a bit of history with online petitions. A few years ago, a particularly passionate fan launched a campaign to have singer Ozzy Osbourne granted knighthood — and the petition ultimately gathered more than 21,000 signatures.
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